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Academy Report

Tottenham Hotspur (Spurs) Football Club is located in North London. The club is also known as Spurs. Tottenham's home ground is White Hart Lane. The club motto is Audere est Facere (To dare is to do).

Academy Director Peter Suddaby keeps you up-to-date with events from behind the scenes for our Academy Scholars. On this occasion he reports on how pre-season training is progressing for the younger Spurs players this summer.

"Pre-season is going very well," reveals Peter. "We have had very few injuries, just a couple of short-term minor problems, but nothing serious."

He continues: "We usually do two training sessions per day, at this stage, although it does depend. If we think the boys are looking a bit jaded then we will do either two shorter sessions, or a longer morning session with a couple of hours off in the afternoon. In general though, it has been two sessions for most of the pre-season so far.

"The first training period starts at 10am, with the afternoon spell running from 1.30pm until about 3.30pm-4pm, then home to rest."

And for our first year Academy players the full time training must be a complete shock to the system.

Peter agrees: "It is a big change in their lifestyle, because for the last however many years they have been sitting at a desk for most of the day. Now we are asking them to be on their feet and run around for four or five hours per day, it is a huge change.

"We obviously do not expect them to be able to do everything the second years do, so all the training is designed and graded. We keep a close eye on them all the time and test them for heart rate etc. It has been hard work, but they have all been really good."

What has been the schedule so far for pre-season fixtures?

Replies Peter: "We have played one game so far against a Texas Select XI, made up of college players. We fielded a very young side, mostly Under-17s, and drew 2-2 at Myddleton House.

"The Under-17 squad left on Tuesday to go to Bisham Abbey for a one week training camp. They played Queens Park Rangers yesterday (Wednesday) and take on Swindon Town Under-18s later this week.

"The Under-19s play their first pre-season match this Saturday, against Brentford at home. They will then go to Belgium at the end of the month for a pre-season tournament on August 1-3. It is a good tournament and we will compete against Club Bruge and Barcelona, amongst others."

Peter concludes: "The new first year Academy players have settled in well and we are very pleased. We have also got some good digs for those who live too far away to travel everyday, although there are not that many in digs this year.

"One particular player, Under-17 United States midfielder Brian Mascarenhas, is a long way from his home in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a nice lad, a very talented player and is settling in well."

FIRST YEAR ACADEMY 2003-2004

Tommy Forecast(Goalkeeper) 15.10.86London-born, he was brought up in Havering and attended Chaffords School. Made three appearances for our Under-17 side last season, during the second half of the campaign, at Watford and at home to Southampton, as well as our 1-1 play-off game with Liverpool in the final match of the term.

Philip Ifil(Defender) 18.11.86An England Under-17 international, he made nine appearances for our Under-19 team last season. Also played 14 times in our Under-17 side and was an ever-present in our F.A. Youth Cup run. Born in London, he was brought up in Brent and attended Willesden High School. Has also been capped by England at Under-16 level.

Mark Wright(Defender) 20.1.87A left-back, he previously played for Charlton Athletic. Born in London, he was brought up in Redbridge and was a pupil at Roding Valley. Represented Harlow and West Essex at Schools football. Made three starts for our Under-17s, as well as four substitute appearances, and played once for the Under-19s all last term.

Tommy Welch(Defender) 26.9.86A central defender, he made 10 F.A. Premier Academy Under-17 appearances for us last season. Born in nearby Enfield, he attended Broxbourne School and was brought up in Lea Valley. Gained a winners medal in the East Anglia Cup in Schools football. Joined our full-time first year Academy staff this summer.

Charlie Daniels(Midfield) 7.9.86Scored two goals in seven outings for our Under-17 team last term and also made one substitute appearance for the Under-19s. Born in Harlow, he was raised in Waltham Forest and attended Highams Park School. A left-sided midfielder, he previously played for Norwich City.

Charlie Lee(Midfield) 5.1.87Born in Whitechapel, East London, he was brought up in Lea Valley. Made 20 appearances for our Under-17 team last season, including five as substitute, scoring two goals. He attended Sheredes School and represented Hertfordshire at District and County level.

Brian Mascarenhas(Midfield) 4.3.87An Under-17 United States youth international, he has been capped on 12 occasions. Played for Concorde Soccer Club in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, and attended Marist School. A central midfielder, he also played Varsity Soccer, for the All-State first team and was top scorer in Georgia High School soccer.

Jamie O'Hara(Midfield) 25.9.86A central midfielder, he netted twice in nine Under-17 games last term, also made two appearances for the Under-19s and played one F.A. Youth Cup match. An England Under-16 and Under-17 international, he previously played for Chelsea and Arsenal. Born in London, he was brought up in Dartford and attended Highams Park School.

Daniel Stevens(Midfield) 26.11.86London-born, he was raised in nearby Enfield and was a pupil at Albany School. He made two starts for our F.A. Premier Academy Under-17 team, at Watford and Birmingham City, and also made two substitute appearances at that level last season. Joined our full-time first year Academy staff this summer.

Andrew Barcham(Forward) 16.12.86An England Under-16 international, he was top-scorer for our F.A. Premier Academy Under-17 side last term with eight goals in 18 appearances at that level. Born in Basildon, he was brought up in the district of Castle Point, Basildon, and attended Appleton School.

Scott Thyer(Forward) 15.3.87Born in Swansea, and raised in West Glamorgan, he was a pupil at Bishop Gore School. A striker, he has been honoured by his country, Wales, at Under-16 and Under-17 international level. Has yet to play for our F.A. Premier Academy, prior to signing as a first year scholar this summer.